Drivers can expect 816 horsepower from the Peugeot E-T16 Concept, an electric hyperhatch built with Peugeot Sport to mark 40 years since the 205 T16 rally car won World Rally Championship titles.
Peugeot used the Paris Motor Show to pull the cover off its most powerful creation to date. The E-T16 Concept bridges four decades of motorsport heritage with contemporary battery-electric architecture. Developed alongside Peugeot Sport, the machine pays homage to the legendary 205 T16 that secured consecutive manufacturers’ titles in the World Rally Championship in 1985 and 1986. The concept previews styling and technology earmarked for upcoming production models like the next-generation E-208.
Powering The Tri-Motor Powertrain
Together, the three distinct motors generate an output equivalent to 816 horsepower, or 609kW, achieving a power-to-weight ratio of less than two kilograms per horsepower. One motor drives the front axle, while two independent units manage the rear wheels beneath the aggressive exterior.
The hyperhatch sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and covers the dash from a standstill to 300 km/h in 16 seconds. A torque-vectoring system modulates power distribution between the axles and across the rear wheels based on available grip. Drivers can toggle through three preset driving modes or configure a fourth custom setting to alter power delivery and suspension parameters.
The car rides on oversized Michelin tyres measuring 275mm wide at the front and 315mm at the rear, anchored by 380mm disc brakes on all four corners alongside a vertically mounted hydraulic handbrake styled after rally machinery.
Side Cooling System Prevents Battery Overheating During Track Driving
The 800V system facilitates rapid replenishment, supporting DC fast charging from 10 to 80 percent in under 15 minutes under suitable conditions, while the manufacturer claims a WLTP combined-cycle driving range of up to 400 kilometers.
Peugeot Sport integrated a motorsport-derived Side Cooling system (electriccarsreport.com) to prevent electric vehicles from throttling output to protect against overheating during track driving. The system extracts heat through the side walls of the battery cells instead of drawing it away from their base. The E-T16 can complete three full laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife—covering more than 60 kilometers—in Performance mode without encountering power restrictions, according to the manufacturer.
Exterior Design Reinterprets Original 205 T16 Layout
Winchester Matte Grey paintwork intersected by an illuminated red pinstripe that circles the body defines the Feline Future design philosophy on the exterior. Horizontal illuminated bars framing an illuminated badge at both ends reinterpret the three-claw lighting signature. Designers relocated the charging port and door-opening mechanism into the air intake ahead of the rear wheels—a direct nod to the layout of the original 205 T16. The entire rear body section tilts upward to expose the dual electric motors, suspension components, a red tubular roll cage, and a storage bay fitted for two helmets.
A curved 21-inch high-definition panoramic screen merges the instrument cluster and infotainment display above a squared-off Hypersquare steering control inside the cabin, previewing the next-generation i-Cockpit layout. The steer-by-wire interface replaces mechanical steering links and incorporates a configurable central display. Carbon-fibre shell bucket seats feature upholstery crafted from upcycled leather offcuts.
Peugeot has not announced commercial production plans for the E-T16 Concept, leaving its specifications as performance targets rather than confirmed production vehicle figures.